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Change Machine

EIN 76-0833915 · Brooklyn, NY

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak36 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • Raising each dollar of donations cost 54 cents.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

DESCRIPTION OF ORGANIZATION MISSION: CHANGE MACHINES MISSION IS TO BUILD FINANCIAL SECURITY FOR LOW-INCOME COMMUNITIES THROUGH PEOPLE-POWERED TECHNOLOGY. CHANGE MACHINE ACCOMPLISHES THIS MISSION THROUGH A TECHNOLOGY PLATFORM THAT AMPLIFIES THE IMPACT OF SOCIAL SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS AND PUBLIC AGENCIES WORKING WITH PEOPLE TO ACHIEVE FINANCIAL GOALS. ITS PARTNERSHIPS BUILD A COMMUNITY OF PRACTICE, AND ITS INSIGHTS INFLUENCE LASTING ECONOMIC CHANGE.

Income
$1.6 million
Spending
$2.2 million
Spent on programs
52%
Reserves
4.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 69%
Employees
13
Volunteers
6
Highest pay
$285,975, ceo

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Weak: 36 out of 100. Higher than 6% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 4.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 18% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 32% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 38% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    0 of 15

    52% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 54 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    6 of 6 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (3)
  1. $506,508 spent. PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT (PLATFORM) - BUILDING FINANCIAL SECURITY USING PEOPLE-POWERED TECHNOLOGY IS CORE TO CHANGE MACHINES MISSION. ITS REVOLUTIONARY CLOUD-BASED PLATFORM, WHICH OPERATES AS A B2B2C SOFTWARE AS A SERVICE (SAAS) SOCIAL ENTERPRISE, PROVIDES A SINGLE PLATFORM WHERE PRACTITIONERS CAN LEARN BEST FINANCIAL COACHING PRACTICES; ACCESS TOOLS AND INFORMATION; AND PARTICIPATE IN A PROFESSIONAL SOCIAL NETWORK SPECIFICALLY DESIGNED FOR THE FIELD. BUILT BY PRACTITIONERS FOR PRACTITIONERS, CHANGE MACHINES FINANCIAL COACHING PLATFORM PROVIDES A ONE-STOP SHOP FOR EFFECTIVE RESOURCES PRACTITIONERS CAN USE TO ADDRESS THEIR CUSTOMERS UNDERLYING FINANCIAL INSECURITY.
  2. $458,425 spent. CAPACITY BUILDING - CHANGE MACHINES BUSINESS-TO-BUSINESS CONSULTING SERVICES ARE DESIGNED TO BUILD CAPACITY AT ORGANIZATIONS THAT WORK WITH LOW-INCOME PEOPLE LOCALLY AND NATIONALLY. THE TEAM PROVIDES TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO BUILD FINANCIAL SECURITY STRATEGIES INTO THE DAILY INTERACTIONS OF FRONTLINE STAFF AT PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS. THIS INCLUDES TRAINING FOR FRONTLINE STAFF TO ENGAGE THEIR CUSTOMERS IN CONVERSATIONS ABOUT PERSONAL FINANCE, AS WELL AS SUPPORT FOR LEADERSHIP TO FULLY IMPLEMENT AN INTEGRATED APPROACH TO FINANCIAL SECURITY SERVICES WITHIN THEIR PROGRAMS AND ORGANIZATIONS.
  3. $176,494 spent. RESEARCH & POLICY - CHANGE MACHINE DEVELOPS AND ADVOCATES FOR POLICY REFORMS AND SYSTEMIC CHANGES THAT WILL REMOVE OBSTACLES TO FINANCIAL SECURITY. CHANGE MACHINE BUILDS COALITIONS AND PARTNERS WITH ADVOCACY GROUPS, RESEARCHERS, THINK TANKS, PRACTITIONERS, AND LOCAL, STATE, AND FEDERAL POLICYMAKERS TO GUIDE AND SUPPORT ITS POLICY AGENDA. ITS IN-HOUSE RESEARCH AND POLICY TEAM SURFACES INSIGHTS USING CUSTOMER DATA CAPTURED ON THE CHANGE MACHINE PLATFORM. CHANGE MACHINE USES ITS DATA AND RESEARCH TO LEVERAGE LESSONS LEARNED ON THE GROUND TO CREATE IMPACT FAR BEYOND AN INITIAL PROGRAM - INFORMING BEST PRACTICES, THE FIELD, AND PUBLIC POLICY.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending September 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since November 2007.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 21, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.